Page 30 of A Pearl Possessed

"How soon can we make our escape?" he asked hoarsely.

"As soon as you wish," Lady Camilla's gorgeous nephew, Lionel Carrington-Bowles said softly behind them.

Adrienne and Obadiah spun around to find him and his life's companion, Nathaniel Charpentier standing behind them.

"Mister Charpentier, I cannot begin to tell you how lovely this breakfast is and how much I appreciate you sending the same foods to Grosvenor Street. Mrs. Collins told me you arranged for...everyone to have a taste of your wonderful food and that glorious cake." Adrienne glanced at Obadiah in the hope of him saying something but he'd just taken a huge bite of the aforementioned cake from the plate of Carrington-Bowles. He did manage to smile and nod vigorously in agreement.

"My name is Nathaniel, and the wedding breakfast is our gift to you. Not as generous as the townhouse Framlingwood gave you, but no less heartfelt. And my lips are sealed about the feast I sent over and who is enjoying it together at this very moment. We are all quite happy knowing something the earl doesn't know. It is very entertaining."

"You're wagering on when he will find out, aren't you?" she asked, arms crossed and toe tapping.

"Dickie is running the wagers," Obadiah said as the other two men nodded solemnly. "Didn't you say something about the two of us being able to leave soon?"

"We did," Carrington Bowles said. "And here comes the proof. We wish you both very happy." He took Nathaniel's arm and drew him away to the table fairly groaning with food.

The Earl of Framlingwood came to them tugging at his neckcloth and looking somewhat chagrined. He cleared his throat a few times and shook his head.

"I have no idea what the appropriate thing for me to say might be," he finally said.

"Wish us happy?" Adrienne suggested softly.

"I do, Adrienne. I sincerely do. I want you to be happy." He turned to Obadiah. "Love her. And keep her safe. Yes?"

"That has been my intention since the moment I met her." Obadiah's tone was pleasant enough, but his arm tightened around her waist.

"She hasn't made it easy for you, has she?"

Obadiah let loose a bark of laughter. "No, she has not." Adrienne glared at him.

"It's not supposed to be easy," Framlingwood said. "Not all the time at least. But with all you two have been through, I think it was meant to be." He extended his hand to Obadiah, who after a brief hesitation shook it. The earl pressed a gentle kiss to Adrienne's cheek. "Thank you, my dear. For everything."

"Thank you. Derek. For everything." She took a breath. "What about...the other matter?" He and Obadiah indicated by an exchange of glances they knew she referred to the blackmailer.

"That is my mystery to unravel. You two have the rest of your lives to unravel the mystery of each other. My carriage is waiting at the door to take you to theAphroditefor a little honeymoon sail along the coast. The Rutherfords have already stowed your bags onboard. Safe journey." He waved a hand in one last salute and walked away. For a moment Adrienne wanted to call him back. He looked so alone.

"How quickly can you say your goodbyes and meet me in the carriage?" Obadiah said and then nipped her earlobe. Her entire body was on fire in an instant.

She grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the dining room, down the stairs, past the duke's stunned butler and into the carriage waiting just outside the door. Only then did she realize she was barefoot.

"Oh no," she groaned as she watched Obadiah shrug out of his coat and untie his neckcloth. "I must go back. Captain El will think I am ungrateful for those lovely slippers and..."

Obadiah raised his hand to reveal her slippers dangling from his fingertips. She huffed, snatched them away and put them on.

"How much longer do you think you will have to keep finding my slippers?" she asked. He joined her on the forward-facing seat as the carriage glided into motion.

"For the rest of our lives, if I'm lucky." He began to unfasten the tapes and fasteners at the back of her dress. "I promise to make certain you never lose anything ever again." He kissed the side of her neck.

"The only thing I ever lost that I cared about was you."

"You never lost me. I was always there in your heart, just as you were always there in mine."

"Obadiah," she breathed as she straddled his lap and tried to wiggle out of her dress. She reached to remove her shoes.

"Leave them on," he said as he whisked her dress and undergarments over her head. "Being fucked by my wife wearing only her shoes promises to be a unique experience."

"Unique experience. I have a lifetime of unique experiences in store for you, husband."

"I am counting on it, wife. I am counting on it. Life with you will always be an adventure."